Jenelle Figgins began her training at the historic Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While training, she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Center Residency and Summer Intensive. Jenelle went on to attend SUNY Purchase New York on partial scholarship and in 2011 received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. Following her graduation she accepted a full scholarship to attend Springboard Danse Montreal. In 2013 Jenelle began dancing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Jenelle has a identical twin sister, Samantha Figgins who is also a professional dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. If double trouble was not enough, the Figgins’ are the triple threat as their older sister Dionne was a professional dancer and is now an actor and singer.

Samantha (left) and Jenelle Figgins (by Jefry Andres Wright)

Jenelle provides a unique perspective having quit dance to start again at a later age as well as having graduated with a BFA before pursuing her career in dance. Jenelle is an inspiration and well versed guest on the Balancing Pointe Podcast.